A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females eBook

LETTER XI.

Mental Cultivation. Reading.

MY DEAR SISTER,

Our minds are given us as talents to improve in the
service of God. If we neglect the proper cultivation
of them, we shall come under the condemnation of the
servant who hid his talent in the earth. But there
is a very great difference between mental cultivation
and the mere reception of knowledge. So you will
perceive that when I speak of the improvement of the
mind, I do not mean reading only; but that
discipline which calls into exercise the intellectual
faculties, and enables us to employ them in the investigation
of the truth. This discipline is a necessary
preparation for profitable reading. It is a great
mistake to suppose that mind is entirely original;
or that only a few possess intellectual faculties
capable of searching into the deep recesses of knowledge.
It is true some possess talents of a superior order;
but none, except idiots, are incapable of improvement;
and many of the greatest minds have been formed upon
a foundation which appeared to consist of little else
than dullness and stupidity. The most crooked
and unpromising twig may, by proper care and culture,
become a great and beautiful tree. The object
of all education is to prepare us for usefulness,
either to ourselves or to others. We are not to
disregard ourselves. The glory of God is as much
concerned in our own spiritual growth, as in that
of any other individual. But we are to love others
as ourselves, and seek their good as
our own. Although our heads may be filled with
knowledge, yet if we have not the capacity of employing
it for practical purposes, it will be of little benefit,
either to ourselves or others. Many persons excuse
themselves for neglecting to improve their minds,
upon the ground that they are incapable of doing anything
great or brilliant. But this arises from a foolish
pride. If we have but a single talent, we are
equally under obligation to improve it in the service
of our Master as if we had ten. And it was upon
this principle that the servant was condemned to whom
but one was given.

The discipline of which I speak may be effected in
many ways. But the method I shall propose is
one that can be pursued without an instructor, while
employed most of the time in active pursuits.
The course already recommended, in relation to meditation
and the study of the Scriptures, will be found a great
assistance in the proper discipline of the mind.
But this is not all that is necessary. I know
of nothing which more effectually calls out the resources
of the mind than writing. To a person unaccustomed
to this exercise, it appears exceedingly difficult.
But a little practice will make it a pleasing and delightful
employment. The mind is far more richly feasted
with ideas conceived and brought forth by itself,
than by those produced by others, and communicated
through the medium of the senses; and all the intellectual
faculties are strengthened and improved by exertion.